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Job assistance, programn is putting people to work The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - A3 By Melanie Hennessey CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF The Region is celebrating the success of its Ontario Works empinyment assistance pro- gram, since more than 80 per cent of its participants are cur- rently employed in the commu- njty. The good news was present- ed at regional council Wednesday, when councillors learned details of the initiative that trains residents receivmng Ontario Works financial assis- tance in the personal support worker field. According to a staff report, 84 per cent of those who took part in the program remain employed part-time or fuli-time in the supportive bealth care field, with 79 pet cent of them staying off Ontario Works assis- tance. That means 53 of the 63 res- idents who participated are still working and 50 of tbem are doing it witbout financial help. "For the Ontario Works pro- gram, tbese outcomes are con- sidered exceptional," the report noted. "The outcome rate exceeds our other more tradi- tional programs by over 65 per cent and bas provided partici- pants not only with the oppor- tunity to receive training and gain employment but also to achieve long-term self sufficien- cy- A few councti members also applauded the figures, like Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll, who called themn "stunning." "This is another made-in- Halton success story," he remarked. Burlington Councillor Rick Craven shared similar senti- ments. "This is truly remarkable," he said. "Its a wonderful success stoty", To put a human face on the impact the employment pro- gram bas, Halton Fmployment Case Manager Marian Williamson told the story of Maria (not her real name). Her journey started in 1998 when she and her four children arrived in Toronto as a refugee from an African country. As a single parent with one disabled child, times were tougb for Maria. She moved to Burlington, found a subsidized housing unit and began work- ing to improve life for ber fanai- 'y. But witb a job at McDonald's, she reali.zed sbe wouldn't be able to get off Ontario Works assis- tancc vcry quickly. Tben she found out about the personal support worker program and applied, but didn't make the eut. Wbile this may bave discouraged somne, Maria instead turned to a tutor and tried again, tbis time being accepted. Sbe accomplisbed great tbings in the program and was even offered a job two weeks before sbe graduated. Today, Williamson said Maria no longer needs financial belp from Ontario Works and holds two jobs in tbe supportive bealtb care field. Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@-milton- canadianchampion.com.